Featured FurKidz

Featured FurKidz: Jackie's at FORA

Jack Russel Terriers are famous for their playful nature and friendly attitude towards people. They’re very smart and the ideal companion for long walks, simply the perfect dog.

The breed originated in Great Britain and was bred to hunt rats and other pests. Because of his speed and small size he was the perfect fit for this task. Jack Russell Terriers are mainly white with patches of brown, black or tan and are smooth, rough or broken coated.

His courage, his temperament, his perseverance, his running and jumping ability and not least his character make the Jack Russell an exceptional and adventurous dog. In regard to his attitude, a new family with teenagers or children, who love to play outside, would be the perfect home for a Jackie. Even when they’re getting older, as long as their health permits, their energy and enthusiasm remains intact They’re also known for their  longevity, sometimes living as long as 18 years.

FORA (Friends of Rescued Animals) is a haven for homeless dogs and cats in Krugersdorp, Gauteng. It’s been officially registered as a non-profit organization in August 2003 and offers a temporary home for many Jack Russel Terriers. Every one of them has a unique personality and specific qualities. Some Jackie’s are more animated than others and some will simply have the attitude of adoring lap dogs.

This little no-name, a 6-week-old puppy, is one of the Jack Russels crosses you can view at FORA. She loves to cuddle and seeks to discover the whole world with you. Maybe she or one of the others will become your new best friend. Visit FORA and meet all these cute Jack Russel Terriers. It is worth your time; what are you waiting for? Click here to see them all!

Featured FurKidz@ARK

After only 2 years since opening their doors, ARK Animal Centre is now one of the most successful refuges dedicated to the rescue and re-homing of puppies and small breed dogs. However,  this success has brought additional pressures with more homeless puppies needing a place at ARK. That's why owners Tracy Otto and her 2 daughters Candice and Cara have now decided to  move to brand new, larger premises, allowing them to help even more homeless puppies.  

Since ARK Animal Centre is a not- for-profit organization, it has been pretty hard to raise enough, but that was no obstacle for Tracy and her daughters. They finally decided to put their own house on the market in order to raise the fund needed to purchase the new property.

The new Centre will consist of 23 acres on the Millgate farm less than 10 minutes from Fourways.   It would be a euphemism to say that Tracy and her daughters invest a great deal in ARK. Their work over the last 2 years is simply outstanding and their total passion and involvement with both homeless dogs and potential owners is brilliant.    

To fulfill their goals, ARK Animal Centre really needs the help of dog lovers everywhere. In order to make the new ARK shelter a success and provide a secure environment as well as an attractive adoption area, the following items are urgently sought:  

Why would you want to donate? Because Tracy, Candice and Cara are doing such a great job re-housing abandoned or unwanted but beautiful young dogs who otherwise would have no chance of a good home. All possible donations of any or all of the above items will be gratefully received. Please find the contact details on this page.

Featured Furkidz: Hartbeespoort Animal Welfare Society

The shelter known as HAWS, ( Hartbeespoort Animal Welfare Society ) sits just outside the affluent holiday town of Hartbeespoort and harbours 65 dogs, and a number of cats and kittens, who've been lost, strayed, sometimes abused, or simply abandoned.

This shelter and the animals it houses urgently need the support of it's local community. Underfunded yet staffed by dedicated people, they're only able to accommodate 65 animals at a time, but the demand for additional places is high. Higher than can be met.

Adoptions by thinking folk, who understand the overriding need for these animals to gain new homes, are sought right now.

The animals housed there range from pure bred Great Danes and Matese Terriers, to the extroverted cross breeds, and none should be overlooked in lieu of highly bred, and often interbred, dogs from back yard breeders. The dogs from HAWS come already vaccinated, sterilised and health checked prior to being placed for adoption, so adopting from them also has the added bonus of making economic sense, as well as social sense.

Those seeking pups have plenty to choose from, those seeking the quiet and placid older dogs in need of a lap, and families seeking the new family pet with energy aplenty, are well served by approaching HAWS, and each adoptionalso provides a second chance and a place for more otherwise neglected dogs.

You'll also be helping meet the social aspirations of the shelter, who work under arduous conditions, to rehome these dogs and puppies, cats and kittens, who so desperately need a loving environment.

Donations of cash, leads, blankets, food or toys, and/or volunteers to boost social interaction and skills for these animals with humans, would be warmly welcomed. Adoptions however, remain their top priority.

If you can help in any of these regards, and/ or seek the perfect pet with whom you've had time to get to know before your final decision, please urgently contact HAWS by clicking here

Featured FurKidz: Wetnose Animal Shelter and their Social Dogs

At Wetnose, one of the first things you'll notice is the welcoming gardens, nicely planted and green grass. It's an attractive destination and with picnic tables about, one could be forgiven for thinking it was all about human recreation.

While you're certainly very welcome to use the facilities also, what's of greater interest is the number of dogs also being walked on leads and enjoying their surroundings. Nothing new about that you might think. However, at Wetnose, the pro- life shelter situated at Rayton , the focus is on socialising and giving their dogs excellent acclimatisation to being brushed and walking on leads. Not all shelters have the facilities or staff to allow such activity, but the benefits are tenfold.

When considering the acquisition of a dog, socialisation and just being able to walk a dog on a leash is paramount for acceptance by others. Backyard breeders are an unknown quantity, and ever lesser known quality when it comes to buying a dog. Often kept in crowded and small cages ( before showing you the animal) , there's little socialisation and greater potential for having a dog already used to fighting siblings, and seldom do such breeders put in the effort to acclimatise their dogs to the social graces of simply being able to easily walk a dog on a lead.

Hence the wonderful work achieved at Wetnose, where, should you adopt a dog, you'll find it an easy transition from there to your place, and having a great dog, all ready to hit the streets and parks with you. The variety of breeds is broad, and you can choose between pure bred lines such as Huskies, German Shepherds, Boerboels, or Terriers, to the even more endearing cross breeds whose amalgam of traits can bring the greater joy and sense of fun.

The added bonus of adopting a dog from Wetnose, or any shelter, is that they're already vaccinated, sterilised, and generally microchipped. These things can cost a new owner dearly, so a visit to Wetnose instead of a back yard breeder also represents significant savings!

Many of the animals at Wetnose have been lost or strayed and are already well used to human companionship, which means they're easy to adopt and love and are overjoyed with a new lease of love on the outside. Mature dogs offer a settled temperament and the younger dogs on offer there also offer their new owners that elusive extra exercise most of us could do with. There are even pairs of old friends on offer who bring the unique opportunity of having a couple of well adjusted buddies, providing each other companionship when you're otherwise busy.

The opportunities to acquire the perfect canine companions are boundless at Wetnose, and those considering new dogs would be well served by an afternoon there and getting to know some of the wonderful dogs available... If you go this weekend, do say hello to Patch, the 3 yr Wire Haired Terrier, among others ready and waiting. He's a darling, ready for a lead, and as loving a boy as you could find. He's had his time on the inside, having already lived in two shelters, being moved due to overcrowding in his previous one. Having waited all his life for a home of his own, his endearing nature, total trust in humans, and beautiful behaviour, is a testament to just how well cared for are the dogs of Wetnose, and how ready they are for a new and loving home with you.

Featured Furkidz: Do Good and Save a FurKid plus your Money!

Do Good and Save a FurKid plus your Money!

Many people overlook or underestimate the medical costs of caring for an animal responsibly. Vaccinations (~R350), microchiping (~.R300) and sterilization (between R700 and R1300 depending on size/gender) are all important aspects of responsible pet ownership and can easily cost you R2000.

Now, here's a much more cost effective and far more responsible and rewarding alternative: ADOPT a dog/cat from a shelter. The adoption fee of around R500 for a dog (even less for cats and kittens) includes the vaccination and sterilization and in most cases also the microchip. In addition to the money saving, think about all the other advantages you have by adopting: you can choose the dog that really appeals to you, you get the opportunity to share time with him to be sure he'll suit you and your lifestyle, and you are definitely making a great gesture by giving a FurKid a new chance. 

So don't hesitate one more second, visit shelters and adopt! The dogs featured in this article are at FORA, click here to see them all.

Featured Furkidz: Irwin Animal Rescue Centre needs You!

That was then...

These last few months haven't been easy for Irwin's Animal Rescue Centre. You may have heard about them or more likely about the previous owner. The loss of many dogs under the previous management has fortunately been superseded by a wonderful new management whose focus now is on the saving of lives and adoption of these wonderful canines who are more than ready for new homes.

... and this is now:

Now the IARC is slowly rebuilding itself. A team of volunteers, ably led by the centre's manageress Tanya Sequiera, are working hard on overcoming the past problems and turning the IARC into a better environment and future for the dogs under their care.

There is significant progress underway: new, spacious camps have been built, and every single one of them has been covered with durable shade cloth on a strong and modern steel framework (as you might know it from company caports). In addition to that an automated watering system has been installed to ensure fresh drinking water at all times for the 470 dogs. The 16 kennel guys follow a strict cleaning and feeding schedule and are walking "their" dogs on a regular basis.

On Sunday the 24th of March the shelter is organizing a special event, to which YOU are invited; Come and enjoy a range of activities, including:

Come and meet some of the wonderful animals looking for their second chance of a wonderful future and ready for you to adopt. A token entrance fee is to be the donation of bags or tins of dog food.

Do join in the celebration of the new chapter in the life of Irwin Animal Rescue and click here for more information about the Irwin Animal Rescue Centre

Featured FurKidz - AACL Epping

Are you still looking for a new furry family member, be it a four legged, fluffy, playful one who is cute as hell and still tiny, or a cuddly furball who's just looking for more than just someone who calls himself it’s “owner”. These gorgous animals want to really belong to the family, with a loving and caring place to stay until their days are over. If you're looking for an exercise buddy, a best friend and confidante for your child, a happy face to greet you after a hard day at work or a companion who loves you more than himself, an adopted dog will be all these things – and so much more!

The Animal Anti Cruelty League Epping always have a wide variety of animals looking for new loving homes, including pure-breed and mixed-breed dogs and especially puppies ranging in all ages, colours, shapes and sizes. With dozens of dogs available for adoption every week, you're sure to find your new companion at the Animal Anti Cruelty League Epping! 

Have a look at their wonderful doggies, let them introduce themselves and give them a chance to be YOUR new special family member. Click here to visit each dogs profile.

Featured Furkidz: HHAWS

"A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself." (Josh Billings)

Take your time and have a look at all those unwanted sweethearts at Helderberg Animal Welfare Society. You'll be delighted by all those joyful wagging tails, all of whom will compete for your attention. These dogs are really amazing creatures, providing such unconditional love if you'll just take them and let them be your friend.

If you get a puppy, they'll simply adore you. If you get a seasoned dog, he will be even more appreciative of the opportunity only you can provide.

Whether large or small, young or old, you'll never regret the decision to adopt  yourself one of the unique and wonderful animals which abound here at  Helderberg AWS, so a visit is definitely worthwhile. They just await your love and commitment.